Nintendo Switch 2 Rumors Ignite with 4K Capability Clues in Paper Mario Code

Rumors about the Nintendo Switch 2 are heating up once more, this time due to discoveries of 4K resolution capabilities within the code of Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door. The latest title in the Switch lineup, this game seems to have been designed with the ability to support ultra-high definition visuals.

A piece of the game's programming, identified by the dataminer known as RibShark, mentions a resolution of 3,840 x 2,160 pixels, which corresponds to 4K quality. RibShark noted, "It appears there's functionality within the new Paper Mario TTYD remake for managing 4K resolutions. It's unclear if this feature is standard for Switch titles, but it caught my attention."

This revelation has led fans across various platforms to ponder the possibility that the code could be hinting at the Switch's next iteration being fully equipped to handle 4K output, possibly even offering enhancements for current Switch titles through backward compatibility upgrades.

Yet, there's a chance that the inclusion of 4K in the game code might have a simpler explanation, such as enabling Nintendo to produce high-resolution promotional imagery, a strategy previously employed for titles like Nintendo Switch Sports.

The exact capabilities of the Nintendo Switch's successor remain a mystery, including its ability to support 4K. Nonetheless, comments from Shuntaro Furukawa, the company's president, suggest that the name Nintendo Switch 2 would be fitting for the new device.

Insights from shareholder meetings last year also hinted at the future console's backward compatibility. Should this be the case, it opens the door for the enhancement of current Switch games to make use of higher resolutions.